Table 2.

Recommendations based on high-quality evidence in the SSC guidelines.

Recommendations	Category	Strength of recommendation
We recommend against using hydroxyethyl starches (HESs) for intravascular volume replacement in patients with sepsis or septic shock	Resuscitation	Strong
We recommend against using low-dose dopamine for renal protection	Resuscitation	Strong
We recommend that RBC transfusion occur only when haemoglobin concentration decreases to < 7.0 g/dL in adults in the absence of extenuating circumstances, such as myocardial ischemia, severe hypoxemia or acute haemorrhage	Management and adjuvant therapies	Strong
We recommend using a target tidal volume of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW) compared with 12 mL/kg in adult patients with sepsis-induced ARDS	Mechanical ventilation	Strong
We recommend against the routine use of the PA catheter for patients with sepsis-induced ARDS	Mechanical ventilation	Strong
We recommend using spontaneous breathing trials in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis who are ready for weaning	Mechanical ventilation	Strong
We recommend a protocolised approach to blood glucose management in ICU patients with sepsis, commencing insulin dosing when two consecutive blood glucose levels are > 180 mg/dL. This approach should target an upper blood glucose level ≤ 180 mg/dL rather than an upper target blood glucose level ≤ 110 mg/dL	Management and adjuvant therapies	Strong